Joint Base Charleston officially renamed after late Sen. Lindsey Graham

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — A new name now stands at the gates of one of the Lowcountry’s largest military installations.

Joint Base Charleston is officially becoming Joint Base Lindsey Graham, honoring the late South Carolina senator’s decades of military and public service.

The new sign was unveiled Monday as federal, state and local leaders gathered to recognize Graham’s legacy and his connection to the military community.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the new name represents more than a change on the gate.

“Senator Lindsey Graham dedicated his life to serving this state and serving the armed forces of the United States,” Hegseth said.

Graham served 33 years in the U.S. Air Force, including active duty, service in the South Carolina Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve. He retired as a colonel in 2015.

He continued serving in uniform after entering Congress and became one of the few members of Congress in recent decades to serve in active war zones, including deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Hegseth, who said he first met Graham as a young Army lieutenant, recalled Graham’s focus on the military and the troops who serve.

“He believed in mission success. He believed in the troops. He believed in giving the troops everything they needed,” Hegseth said.

A name tied to the C-17 mission

Joint Base Charleston is home to the Air Force’s C-17 Globemaster III fleet, which supports missions around the world.

Military leaders say Graham played a role in securing funding for improvements at the installation, including a $26.4 million flight line support facility designed to replace two aging buildings.

Hegseth said Graham’s legacy will now travel with the aircraft based here.

“From today forward, these planes will have Joint Base Graham on their tail. The world will remember that name.”

The base is also moving forward with a new $29.5 million fire station, which military officials say will improve emergency response capabilities and protection for service members working at the installation.

Hegseth said the new name should serve as a reminder to those serving at the base that their work and sacrifices are valued.

“It will serve as a daily reminder to every sailor, airman, marine, soldier, guardian, service member that their safety is prioritized and their sacrifice is valued by our highest level of government.”

Graham’s military service

Graham’s military career began long before his time in the Senate.

His sister said Graham originally wanted to become a pilot and earned his pilot’s license while still in high school. Because of hearing issues, he ultimately pursued a career in law.

While serving in the Air Force, Graham worked in Europe and witnessed the Berlin Wall and the division of Germany firsthand.

He later returned to South Carolina and joined the South Carolina Air National Guard. During the Gulf War, he was activated to support troops preparing to deploy from McEntire.

After being elected to the U.S. House, Graham joined the Air Force Reserve. He continued his military service after being elected to the Senate.

His sister said Graham’s love for the Air Force never faded.

“Lindsey loved the Air Force. He loved its mission. He loved wearing the uniform of his country.”

Graham retired from the Air Force Reserve in June 2015 after 33 years of service, reaching the rank of colonel.

A personal tribute for Graham’s family

Graham’s family attended Monday’s ceremony as his name was unveiled at the base.

For them, the ceremony marked more than a military tribute. It was a recognition of a man whose career was shaped by his service to both South Carolina and the country.

Hegseth closed his remarks by offering a final tribute to the former senator and Air Force colonel:

“Well done, Col. Graham. We have the watch from here.”

The new Joint Base Lindsey Graham sign now stands as a permanent reminder of Graham’s military service and his connection to the Lowcountry.